Author Topic: Successful microstock illustrators? (Read 10539 times)

Silvercat · « **on:** March 05, 2008, 10:00 »

I know that there are some people doing extremely well with microstock, even up to the point of earning their living that way. All of those I know are photographers though and I wonder - is this possible for illustrators/vector artists as well? I don't know any example though I'm suspecting some people to do quite well. Successful illustrators might be somewhat more "under the radar", it seems.

What do you guys think?

sharpshot · « **Reply #1 on:** March 05, 2008, 11:06 »

Looking at the sales on sites, it seems much easier for a good vector artist to make a living from microstock. I do realize some of the complex vectors take a long time to make but they can also sell very well.

I just couldn't be a full time vector artist though, it is too many hours in front of the computer for me.

helix7 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 05, 2008, 14:08 »

Not only is it possible, it probably takes less time to get to a point of making a living in microstock as an illustrator. You can make a living with 300 good illustrations, where you probably need ten times that number of photos to achieve the same result. Generally speaking of course, and this is just my speculative assumption.

Some illustrators who I believe are making a living in microstock include Kirsty Pargeter, James Thew, Misha, Dzmitry Stankevich, Tom Nulens, and Aleksey Telnov. I'm sure there are more, and these are just the ones I can think of right now.

As for "under the radar" illustrators, I guarantee there are plenty of them and photographers as well that make good money in microstock without us knowing about it. Just imagine how many people there are in microstock who never post in forums. I'm sure some of them do quite well, but they have managed to avoid the spotlight so no one talks about them.

bad to the bone · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2009, 00:47 »

I don't think that is possible to make anyone living with 300 Illustrations at microstock market, but after 9 month and now about 600 Illustrations i would say it may be possible in 2-3 years :-)

Magnum · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2009, 04:29 »

In china a waitress earn about 100$/month and I´ve seen people with under 300 pieces making 1000$/month. I think it´s possible. Even in Us or Europe. Maybe no Ferrari though

bad to the bone · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2009, 14:53 »

I don't think that a waitress in china have enough experience and the skills to do 300 illustrations what sells extremly good at microstock market. Before i started my microstock engagement i had thought about this point. How possible is it that people from china, russia and the thrird world discover this market. After some month, after a lot of time invested and after a lot of illustrations what can be done only with a lot of computerpower i'm shure they will come, but not that fast und not tomorrow.
To have the ability to do a more or less good artwork is not the only condition for success in microstock business. Same in fotography. You have to know what sells and where and why.
With 600 online, 6 not, and roundabout 1000$ a month after 9 month i think i'm not at the poor side.
Don't forget how many time it takes to do an artwork what sells. I had the time because of sickness, but i would never started in this business if i wasn't. Because at my normal hourly rate i had gained thousands of dollars more in the same time. And i already had the skills and the experience and good equipment.
To do 300 and earn 1000$ a month is - in my opinion - possible for someones who don't need the 1000$ a month because they are good enough to get them daily by illustrating for clients.

But on the other hand, i'm also thinking about how and where to live when i reach the 4000$-goal a month in some years.

And, if microstock business establish, we will also see entrepreneurs who work with teams of illustrators out of low-wage countrys doing illustrations by direction - thats what i estimate.

crazychristina · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2009, 16:59 »

I saw an interview with Nick Monu (nico_blue on istock) who admitted to earning a six figure income from his work (mostly illustration) while he was studying to become a doctor.

Magnum · « **Reply #7 on:** April 08, 2009, 05:48 »

Quote from: werkmann on April 07, 2009, 14:53

I don't think that a waitress in china have enough experience and the skills to do 300 illustrations what sells extremly good at microstock market. Before i started my microstock engagement i had thought about this point. How possible is it that people from china, russia and the thrird world discover this market. After some month, after a lot of time invested and after a lot of illustrations what can be done only with a lot of computerpower i'm shure they will come, but not that fast und not tomorrow.
To have the ability to do a more or less good artwork is not the only condition for success in microstock business. Same in fotography. You have to know what sells and where and why.
With 600 online, 6 not, and roundabout 1000$ a month after 9 month i think i'm not at the poor side.
Don't forget how many time it takes to do an artwork what sells. I had the time because of sickness, but i would never started in this business if i wasn't. Because at my normal hourly rate i had gained thousands of dollars more in the same time. And i already had the skills and the experience and good equipment.
To do 300 and earn 1000$ a month is - in my opinion - possible for someones who don't need the 1000$ a month because they are good enough to get them daily by illustrating for clients.

But on the other hand, i'm also thinking about how and where to live when i reach the 4000$-goal a month in some years.

And, if microstock business establish, we will also see entrepreneurs who work with teams of illustrators out of low-wage countrys doing illustrations by direction - thats what i estimate.

How long have you been doing this? "If microstock business establish" and "If third world discover this market"

That was a few years ago.

helix7 · « **Reply #8 on:** April 08, 2009, 10:30 »

Quote from: werkmann on April 07, 2009, 00:47

I don't think that is possible to make anyone living with 300 Illustrations at microstock market, but after 9 month and now about 600 Illustrations i would say it may be possible in 2-3 years :-)

Quite a few people do it with less than 300 images. Just look around.. they're out there. In the 300-600 image range, there are even more.

Magnum · « **Reply #9 on:** April 08, 2009, 10:50 »

Quote from: helix7 on April 08, 2009, 10:30

Quote from: werkmann on April 07, 2009, 00:47
I don't think that is possible to make anyone living with 300 Illustrations at microstock market, but after 9 month and now about 600 Illustrations i would say it may be possible in 2-3 years :-)

Quite a few people do it with less than 300 images. Just look around.. they're out there. In the 300-600 image range, there are even more.

You´re the right person for this subject. Awesome stuff Helix

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Author Topic: Successful microstock illustrators? (Read 10539 times)

Silvercat

sharpshot

helix7

bad to the bone

Magnum

bad to the bone

crazychristina

Magnum

helix7

Magnum

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